Babies need diapers, and diapers need somewhere to go after they’ve been used. And at the rate a baby needs a diaper change, having a spot designated for the smelly bundles is helpful and convenient. Diaper pails provide a specific area to toss the used diapers so you don’t have to traipse across your home to the trash can in the kitchen. These specialty pails are designed with you and your baby in mind; they help reduce or eliminate unwanted odor and aim to prohibit the growth of bacteria.
We checked out numerous diaper pails online through Amazon to find the best diaper pails. We looked at a myriad of types, including simple-to-use pails, hanging bags, hands-free and odor-busting contraptions, and even gift sets. We considered the size, how well it contains odors and any other additional features.
We chose the UBBI Steel Odor Locking Modern Design Diaper Pail as the overall best choice for diaper pails. This unit is easy to use, seals in odors and provides a convenient way to throw away used diapers.
In This Article
The 5 Top-Rated Diaper Pails
| Editor's Picks | Brand | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Best Diaper Pail Overall | UBBI Steel Odor Locking Modern Design Diaper Pail | 4.3 |
| Best Odor Locking Diaper Pail | Munchkin Step Diaper Pail Powered by Arm & Hammer | 4.4 |
| Best Budget Diaper Pail | Large Hanging Wet/dry Cloth Diaper Pail Bag | 4.4 |
| Best Hands Free Diaper Pail | Dekor Plus Hands-Free Diaper Pail | 4.2 |
| Best Simple Diaper Pail | Munchkin Toss Portable Disposable Diaper Pail 5-Pack | 4.3 |
*Ratings are from Amazon at the time of publication and can change
Best Diaper Pail Overall: UBBI Steel Odor Locking Modern Design Diaper Pail
The UBBI Steel Odor Locking Modern Design Diaper Pail offers a practical way to get rid of diapers while keeping your nursery free from stinky smells. Made from steel instead of plastic, this diaper pail helps seal in unwanted odors due to its solid, non-porous structure. The steel container blocks out odor while creating a durable, sturdy bin. The diaper pail has rubber seals all around the rim to keep the lid sealed tight. That, coupled with the small sliding door, help keep odors from escaping.
The UBBI diaper pail holds up to 55 newborn diapers or 20 large pull-up diapers and doesn’t require any special type of bags as liners. Use any standard tall kitchen trash bag or cloth liner to fit the pail, and don’t worry about having to find special refills. This diaper pail features a lid that closes slowly so it won’t snap shut on fingers but also has a child-safety lock so your little ones can’t get into it. The pail is available in an array of colors; so you’re sure to find one that will match your nursery.
UBBI Steel Odor Locking Modern Design Diaper Pail Key Features:
- Holds up to 20 large or 55 newborn diapers
- No special bags required
- Made from steel
- Includes child-safety lock
- Available in a multitude of colors
Best Odor Locking Diaper Pail: Munchkin Step Diaper Pail Powered by Arm & Hammer
A nursery should be a place of calm and tranquility, not smelly odors. Our favorite odor locking diaper pail is the Munchkin Step Diaper Pail Powered by Arm & Hammer. This diaper pail twists the bag shut when you close the lid to help keep odors from escaping through the top. Instead, the Arm & Hammer baking soda deodorizer disc inside gives off a lavender scent to help maintain a pleasant smell in the nursery. Likewise, the Arm & Hammer liners provide seven layers of odor protection and have a lavender scent as well. This pail is compatible with both Arm & Hammer refill rings and snap, seal, and toss bags.
Awarded by the Good Housekeeping Institute, the Munchkin diaper pail holds up to 30 newborn diapers and features a foot pedal to keep a hands-off approach. The pail also features a childproof lock to keep little ones from opening the main lid. Made from plastic, the pail is available in a white color with silver accents. Included with the diaper pail is one pack of Arm & Hammer snap, seal, and toss refill bags. As a bonus, the company plants a tree with every purchase.
Munchkin Step Diaper Pail Powered by Arm & Hammer Key Features:
- Includes foot pedal for hands-free use
- Works with Arm & Hammer bags and rings
- Lavender scented baking soda deodorizer
- Includes child-safety lock
- Good Housekeeping Institute award
- Includes one pack of refills
- Company plants a tree with every purchase
Best Budget Diaper Pail: Large Hanging Wet/dry Cloth Diaper Pail Bag
Children are expensive. And while you can’t reduce the number of diapers your kid needs, you can find other ways to tighten the budget. Made for reusable cloth diapers, our favorite budget diaper pail is the Large Hanging Wet/dry Cloth Diaper Pail Bag. At a much lower cost than steel or plastic diaper pail bins, this bag gives you the opportunity to contain diapers in two separate pouches. The bag features two zippered compartments so you can keep wet and dry diapers separate. And it’s made with polyurethane so the bag is leakproof.
Available in a vast array of designs, this large bag measures approximately 18 inches by 25 inches and can hold up to 25 diapers. It features two large handles, which allow you to hang the bag up on a doorknob or wall hook and save on floor space. The handles also make it convenient for taking it on-the-go, making it a suitable choice to travel with. The bag is machine washable so it’s easy to clean every time you empty it.
Large Hanging Wet/dry Cloth Diaper Pail Bag Key Features:
- Holds up to 25 diapers
- Available in multiple colors and designs
- Two large handles for easy carrying
- Includes two zippered compartments
- Made with polyurethane
Best Hands-Free Diaper Pail: Dekor Plus Hands-Free Diaper Pail
Sometimes your hands are full and you need extra help. Our top pick for the best hands-free diaper pail is the Dekor Plus Hands-Free Diaper Pail. Outfitted with a foot pedal, this diaper pail allows you to throw away diapers without having to manually lift the lid, which is helpful if your baby is in your arms. Simply press down on the foot lever, and toss the diaper through the spring-loaded door. Both the trap door and the lid automatically close. The main lid closes with a “whisper” so it doesn’t slam shut.
The Dekor diaper pail is made from closed-cell ABS plastic and features a rubber seal around the rim of the lid to contain unwanted odors. The Dekor Plus liners are powder scented to help reduce stinky odors, and instead, provide a pleasant scent. The liners are continuous so you can fill a bag with only a few diapers or fill to capacity without wasting any portion of the liner. The diaper pail holds up to 60 newborn diapers.
Available in a multitude of colors, this diaper pail also features child-safety locks on the main lid and access door. And when you’re done with the diaper days, convert the diaper pail in to a traditional trash can by taking out the diaper insert.
Dekor Plus Hands-Free Diaper Pail Key Features:
- Available in multiple colors
- Closed-cell plastic
- Converts to normal trash can
- Continuous liner refills
- Powder scented liners
- Easy to empty via access door
- Childproof locks
Best Simple Diaper Pail: Munchkin Toss Portable Disposable Diaper Pail 5-Pack
If you’re looking for a diaper pail that’s simply made and easy to use, then check out our top pick for the best simple diaper pail. We chose the Munchkin Toss Portable Disposable Diaper Pail 5-Pack for its simple design. Made to be compact and used on-the-go, this diaper pail is completely disposable. When it’s full, simply toss the entire thing into the trash. Available as a solo diaper pail or a pack of five, the pail folds in on itself so it’s convenient to take with you when traveling.
The Munchkin disposable diaper pail features a resealable lid to help keep unwanted odors from getting out. The flexible panels add another layer of odor protection and also help keep wetness inside. The disposable diaper pail holds up to 30 newborn diapers, but there is a viewing window so you can tell when your pail is full and when it needs to be thrown away.
Munchkin Toss Portable Disposable Diaper Pail 5-Pack Key Features:
- Portable and compact for on-the-go
- Completely disposable
- Available as a solo pail or 5-pack
- Resealable lid
- Easy to use
Who Should Buy a Diaper Pail
Babies need to have their diapers changed frequently and thus accumulate a lot of used diapers. It’s much more convenient to have a single place to toss those used diapers. It’s also much easier to keep a trash receptacle in the same room as where you change your baby. Diaper pails keep used diapers in one place until you are ready to dispose of them properly. This cuts down on the number of times you have to take the trash out.
Diaper pails also help contain unwanted odors so the smelly diapers don’t stink up your house. Many diaper pails have numerous ways to reduce odor while creating a sanitary spot to throw away a lot of used diapers at one time.
Important Features to Consider
A diaper pail should do several things well. Here’s what to consider when selecting a diaper pail:
- Diaper capacity. Consider the size diaper pail you want or need. Diaper pails come in a variety of sizes – anywhere from small, compact pails that hold up to 20 or 30 diapers to larger, commercial bins that can hold up to a few hundred at one time. Consider the amount of room you have to place a diaper pail, or whether you may need a style that hangs up off the floor to save space. Smaller diaper pails might be more suitable for small apartments or one-child families. Larger diaper pails might be better suited for families who have multiple children in diapers.
- Odor control. Consider the importance of odor control in combination with the other features you are looking for. No one wants stinky odors permeating through their home. All diaper pails should have some level of odor control, but certain pails are better at this than others. Pails are either made from plastic or metal. Closed-cell ABS plastic is better at odor control than other types of plastic. Metal bins are also better at odor control thanks to its non-porous material. Certain diaper pail systems use scented liners or deodorizer discs to help reduce unwanted odors.
- Hands-on, hands-off. A popular feature for diaper pails is the foot pedal. The foot pedal allows you to open the diaper pail without using your hands. Consider how important this is to you because not all diaper pails offer this feature. The hands-free approach allows you to have your hands full while easily placing the used diaper in the pail. But if this is not a concern, other pails typically only require one hand to flip the lid open.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you really need a diaper pail?
Diaper pails are not a necessity, but they do make for a convenient and sanitary place to put used diapers. Diaper pails can hold anywhere from 30 to a few hundred newborn diapers at one time. They also help to reduce the unwanted odor that used diapers inevitably emit.
How long does a diaper pail refill last?
How long a diaper pail refill lasts depends on the size of the diaper pail and the type of refill you are using. Some pails can hold up to 20 or 30 diapers, while others can hold up to 270 newborn diapers.
How much do diaper pail refills cost?
Diaper pail refills vary in price depending on the type of diaper pail you have, and the type of refill you choose to use. Certain diaper pails require the manufacturer’s brand, while others can use standard liners.
How do I keep my diaper pail from smelling?
Selecting an odor locking diaper pail, such as our pick mentioned above, should control unwanted odors so your pail doesn’t smell. But even with the best odor-busting properties, diaper pails may begin to smell after a while. Check with the manufacturer to determine the best method for cleaning your particular diaper pail. Most can be cleaned with a distilled vinegar solution. Other options include adding baking soda, coffee grounds, or charcoal to the bottom of the pail to absorb odors.
Other Diaper Pails We Reviewed
We looked at 20 other diaper pails. Even though they didn’t make our 5 best diaper pail list, they’re the best of the rest and are still great options for your nursery. The information you need to compare each one is included with the listing.
- Hands-Free Diaper Pails
- Hanging Diaper Pails
- Diaper Pail Gift Sets
- Easy-to-Use Diaper Pails
- Other Diaper Pails
Hands-Free Diaper Pails
Akord Slim Incontinence Disposal System
The Akord disposal pail might be made for adult diapers, but it can also be used for baby diaper disposal. This pail features a foot pedal for hands-free use, and has a 7-gallon capacity.
Key Features:
- Uses continuous liners
- Made from ABS plastic
- 60-day return policy
Cost: $47
Dekor Classic Hands-Free Diaper Pail
The Dekor Classic diaper pail features a spring-loaded door that helps reduce unwanted odors and can hold up to 45 newborn diapers. This diaper pail is made from closed-cell plastic and includes a foot pedal for hands-free operation.
Key Features:
- Converts to standard trash can
- Includes child-safety lock
- Powder scented continuous liners
Cost: $30
Dekor Mini Hands-Free Diaper Pail
Made from ABS plastic, this compact diaper pail holds up to 25 newborn diapers and features a foot pedal to keep this hands free. This pail is compatible with Dekor continuous liners, which are powder scented.
Key Features:
- Converts to a standard trash receptacle
- Rubber gaskets to seal in odor
- Childproof lock
Cost: $25
Janibell Commercial Diaper Pail
Made from ABS plastic, this large diaper pail has a 13-gallon capacity and uses continuous liners for reducing odors.
Key Features:
- Foot pedal for hands-off use
- Continuous liners
- Easy to clean
Cost: $123
Playtex Diaper Genie Complete Pail
The Playtex Diaper Genie has a built-in carbon filter and features two airtight clamps to reduce unwanted odors from getting through. This diaper pail holds up to 270 newborn diapers and is available in multiple colors.
Key Features:
- Includes foot pedal
- Antimicrobial surface to decrease odor
- Uses Diaper Genie 7-layer bags
Cost: $40
Prince Lionheart Twist’R Diaper Disposal System
The Prince Lionheart diaper pail features a foot pedal that twists the bag shut after you have dropped a diaper in, to help contain unwanted odors.
Key Features:
- Holds up to 45 newborn diapers
- Includes activated charcoal sachets
- Self-closing lid
Hanging Diaper Pails
Charlie Banana Hanging Diaper Pail
Made from polyester and polyurethane, this waterproof diaper bag has elastic handles, which make it easy to hang.
Key Features:
- Available in different colors and designs
- Free from chemicals and fragrances
- Environmentally friendly
Cost: $19
The GroVia Perfect Diaper Pail is a cloth bag that hangs up with a clothes hanger to help save space. It measures 26 inches by 18 inches and holds up to three days of diapers.
Key Features:
- Machine washable and dryer friendly on low
- Self-closing flap to reduce odor
- Water-resistant material, with zippered bottom
Cost: $35
This diaper pail can either stand on its own or hang from the changing table.
Key Features:
- Available in multiple designs
- Made in the USA
- Comes with a roll of bags
Diaper Pail Gift Sets
Munchkin Diaper Pail Baby Registry Starter Set
This diaper pail starter kit includes a diaper pail, lavender-scented deodorizer disc, refill ring, and refill bags.
Key Features:
- Company plants a tree with every purchase
- Seals diapers individually
- Childproof lock
Cost: $60
Playtex Baby Diaper Genie Gift Set
This diaper gift set includes a diaper pail, refill liners, 4-pack of carbon filters, nursing bottles, nipples, and pacifiers.
Key Features:
- Built-in antibacterial film
- Includes foot pedal for hands-off
- Holds up to 270 newborn diapers
Cost: $74
Playtex Diaper Genie Baby Registry Gift Set
The Playtex Diaper Genie offers a gift set that includes a diaper pail, and a year’s worth of diaper pail refills and charcoal filters. This diaper pail holds up to 270 newborn diapers and features an antibacterial film to reduce bacterial growth.
Key Features:
- Double clamps pinch bag closed to reduce odor
- Liners have seven layers
- Foot pedal for hands-free use
Easy-to-Use Diaper Pails
AKORD Slim Adult Diaper Disposal System
Though created for adult diapers, this pail can be used for baby diapers as well.
Key Features:
- Can use standard trash bags
- About 20 inches tall
- Self-closing lid
Cost: $35
Creative Baby Tidy Diaper Pail
This diaper pail is easy to use with a rotating lid.
Key Features:
- Can use any standard trash bag
- Dishwasher safe
- Easy to use with one hand
Cost: $38
Munchkin Toss Portable Disposable Diaper Pail
This diaper pail is entirely disposable; just toss the used diapers in, and when it’s full, throw out the whole thing.
Key Features:
- Holds up to 30 newborn diapers
- Resealable lid
- Compact size for on-the-go
Cost: $4
Safety 1st Easy Saver Diaper Pail
The Safety 1st Easy Saver Diaper Pail is made from 100 percent plastic and is easy to use.
Key Features:
- Easy to use with one hand
- Compatible with standard trash bags
- Deodorizer disc included
Cost: $24
Tommee Tippee Simplee Nappy Disposal System
This Tommee Tippee diaper pail is compact and easy to use.
Key Features:
- Antibacterial film to reduce odor and bacteria
- Available in grey and pink
- Easy to use
Other Diaper Pails
Made from aluminum and steel, this diaper pail has a tall base with an ergonomic lid. Available in multiple colors, this pail converts to a standard trash receptacle when your diaper days are over.
Key Features:
- Child-safety lock
- Uses standard liners
- Rubber gaskets on lid to seal out odor
Cost: $118
Odorless Cloth Diaper Pail 14 gallon
Busch Systems offers a diaper pail for cloth diapers.
Key Features:
- Includes filter with activated charcoal
- Large handles seal lid tight
- Holds 14 gallons
Cost: $69
Odorless Cloth Diaper Pail by Busch Systems
Designed specifically to hold cloth diapers, this pail is roughly 14 inches high and holds 7 gallons.
Key Features:
- Made from recycled plastic
- Includes carbon filter
- Two large handles that clamp the lid shut
Cost: $61
